ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994                   TAG: 9404070116
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

ROBB EVADES TALK OF SCANDAL

U.S. Sen. Charles Robb easily answered questions from a college class Wednesday about Bosnia, deficits and taxes, but he stopped short when asked about personal scandals that have plagued his re-election bid.

"I've been asked by my wife not to talk about it," Robb said after a Virginia Commonwealth University student said she felt betrayed by Robb's admission last month that he had engaged in behavior inappropriate for a married man.

Jean Haskins, 62, said she had always voted for the Democratic senator, who previously had insisted he was faithful to his wife, Lynda.

"I think my intelligence has been insulted," she said. "You may feel that God and Lynda have forgiven you, but I don't feel that I have."

She said later that she would not vote this year for Robb, who faces as many as four challengers in a June 14 primary. She said she was leaning toward Jim Miller, who is fighting Oliver North for the Republican nomination.

Robb told reporters he's not surprised he is losing supporters.

"All of the publicity has affected people's views," he said. "The majority of people that know me, and know me personally, know the kind of values I have."

Only one other question from the political science class dealt with the Senate campaign. Asked whether he would seek President Clinton's help even though he is unpopular in Virginia, Robb said, "I'm not necessarily going to ask him to do anything specifically now or later."

Most questions dealt with foreign policy and the budget, two of Robb's favorite topics. He said Clinton should be tougher on Bosnia, spend more on defense and raise gasoline taxes if necessary to fund programs.

After class, students Chris Bullard and Chris Sasso said the senator explained his views well, but they remain dissatisfied with Robb and North, the Democratic and Republican front-runners.

"I'm looking for an independent," Bullard said. "I could vote for Doug Wilder over either one of those guys."

Former Gov. Douglas Wilder has said he might run in the Democratic primary or as an independent.

Keywords:
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